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butterfly & elephant is the early-stage investment arm of GS1 Germany, providing seed and pre-seed funding to startups across the consumer goods, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce sectors in Germany. The firm supports portfolio companies by offering access to GS1 industry standards, mentoring, coaching, and extensive corporate networks to facilitate sustainable commercial development. Its investment strategy targets emerging commerce technologies, highlighted by its participation in the Pre-Seed II financing round for amsight, a startup specializing in data-based quality management for industrial 3D printing. While specific figures regarding total assets under management or funding deployed remain undisclosed, the organization leverages the broader infrastructure of its parent entity to scale its operations. The exact founding year and original founders are not publicly disclosed, but the firm is currently led by Managing Director Benjamin Birker, who assumed the role on October 1, 2024.
Key people at butterfly & elephant.
butterfly & elephant operates as an investment vehicle for GS1 Germany, leveraging this affiliation to provide its portfolio companies with access to a substantial network.
The firm focuses its investments on seed and early-stage companies, specifically within the consumer goods sector.
The organization aims to be more than just an accelerator, actively supporting startups to help their ideas take flight and providing access to a significant network through its connection with GS1 Germany.
butterfly & elephant operates as an investment vehicle for GS1 Germany, leveraging this affiliation to provide its portfolio companies with access to a substantial network.
The firm focuses its investments on seed and early-stage companies, specifically within the consumer goods sector.
The organization aims to be more than just an accelerator, actively supporting startups to help their ideas take flight and providing access to a significant network through its connection with GS1 Germany.
butterfly & elephant operates as an investment firm and accelerator program, specifically targeting seed and early-stage companies. The organization's investment thesis prioritizes ventures within the consumer goods sector that exhibit a clear intersection of innovation and market relevance. This focused approach allows butterfly & elephant to engage with startups that are poised for growth within a specific industry vertical.
The firm positions itself as more than a conventional accelerator, aiming to actively support and help ideas take flight. This involves providing resources and guidance beyond mere capital investment, fostering an environment where early-stage companies can develop and scale effectively. The objective is to transform promising concepts into viable market solutions.
A key aspect of butterfly & elephant's operational model is its role as an investment vehicle for GS1 Germany. This strategic affiliation provides its portfolio companies with access to a significant and established network. This network can be instrumental for startups in the consumer goods sector, offering connections, potential partnerships, and market insights that might otherwise be difficult to secure.
Through its combination of targeted investment, hands-on acceleration, and strategic network leverage via GS1 Germany, butterfly & elephant seeks to empower innovative companies. The firm's commitment is to foster the growth of early-stage ventures, ensuring they have the necessary support to navigate the complexities of the consumer goods market and achieve their full potential.
Key people at butterfly & elephant.
butterfly & elephant has 2 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $10.0M Series A in microsynetics GmbH in February 2026.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5, 2026 | microsynetics GmbH | $10.0M Series A | Peak | Amberra, Beurer, BonVenture, DVH Ventures |
| Feb 5, 2026 | Gardia | $1.0B Series A | Peak | Amberra, Beurer, BonVenture, Butterfly & Elephant, Dieter VON Holtzbrinck Ventures |
